Greetings again from the darkness. Twin brothers Michael and Mark Polish brought us the terrific and bizarre "Northfork" and now follow-up with a near Disney movie of the week. Not necessarily a bad thing, just kind of disappointing since there are so few creative forces in Hollywood these days.
Billy Bob Thornton stars as Charles Farmer and likable, small town family man who is chasing his dream of flying his handmade rocket into space. Yes, it is a very real and large rocket. His family becomes integrally involved in the process to the point where he pulls his kids out of school so that they can be Space Team Farmer. We never really get a pure indication of whether the town folks think he is truly crazy or just a bit unstable.
Farmer's loyal to a fault wife is played by the talented Virginia Madsen. It was a welcome relief to actually see Ms. Madsen get to act after suffering through "The Number 23" last night. We feel her eternal optimism and feel her love for the man that has her so worried for her family's future. Must mention that the two young Farmer daughters (character names Stanley and Sunshine) are real life sister and daughters of one of the Polish guys behind the film (not sure if it is Mark or Michael). They pretty much steal every scene they are in. Also Mark plays one of the two FBI guys, who supply some comic relief. The other is played by Jon Gries (Uncle Rico in "Napolean Dynamite").
Other support work is solid and includes J.K. Simmons as a snooty FAA bureaucrat, Bruce Dern as the odd grandpa, and Tim Blake Nelson as Farmer's attorney. Must also recognize Bruce Willis for his extended cameo as The NASA Colonel and former astronaut.
Many comparisons can be made to "The Rocketeer", "Field of Dreams", "Dreamer" and "The Rookie". In other words, there are very few surprises, but it is nice, safe entertainment.
Billy Bob Thornton stars as Charles Farmer and likable, small town family man who is chasing his dream of flying his handmade rocket into space. Yes, it is a very real and large rocket. His family becomes integrally involved in the process to the point where he pulls his kids out of school so that they can be Space Team Farmer. We never really get a pure indication of whether the town folks think he is truly crazy or just a bit unstable.
Farmer's loyal to a fault wife is played by the talented Virginia Madsen. It was a welcome relief to actually see Ms. Madsen get to act after suffering through "The Number 23" last night. We feel her eternal optimism and feel her love for the man that has her so worried for her family's future. Must mention that the two young Farmer daughters (character names Stanley and Sunshine) are real life sister and daughters of one of the Polish guys behind the film (not sure if it is Mark or Michael). They pretty much steal every scene they are in. Also Mark plays one of the two FBI guys, who supply some comic relief. The other is played by Jon Gries (Uncle Rico in "Napolean Dynamite").
Other support work is solid and includes J.K. Simmons as a snooty FAA bureaucrat, Bruce Dern as the odd grandpa, and Tim Blake Nelson as Farmer's attorney. Must also recognize Bruce Willis for his extended cameo as The NASA Colonel and former astronaut.
Many comparisons can be made to "The Rocketeer", "Field of Dreams", "Dreamer" and "The Rookie". In other words, there are very few surprises, but it is nice, safe entertainment.